Month: January 2011

Another dull day but at least Rosie and I had a dry walk. We went to the mountains and a hunting dog that I have seen a few times up there decided she would play with Rosie. The poor thing looked painfully thin with all its ribs showing. Another “dumped” hunting dog I suppose. It was lovely, chocolate brown with big floppy ears. It followed us home and even tried to squeeze through the gate when we went up the drive. I hate turning them away but if not I would end up with 20 or more and I can’t afford that amount of kennel fees when we are away.

More rain in the afternoon. In the evening I caught up with my downloads of  “Secret Mediterranean” with Trevor MacDonald. They are really interesting and I look forward to the next one this week where he visits Cyprus.

Thought for the day – “The richest person is not the one who has the most but the one who needs the least” – Robin Sharma

Another early morning down at the beach. Rosie had so much energy and did a lot of swimming. Not even a fisherman in sight.

From the time we arrived home the weather deteriorated and we had rain. I had downloaded ‘Secret Mediterranean’ with Trevor MacDonald and so sat and watched those. I believe this weeks episode is from Cyprus. That will be interesting to see.

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Thought for the Day – “Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl

 

Not quite such a nice day, rather overcast. I bought Cyprus Today see link. It seemed full of the new airline, TRNC flag carrier! I wonder who is going to sue who and they haven’t even started selling tickets yet. It looks as though March for the first flights has now moved into April and they could be serving all the Easter passengers but as yet have not even registered!  Something about a brewery comes to mind. I’ll say no more.

In the afternoon I watched Man U and Brum. Man U won 5-0. Perhaps if Birmingham keep up the same performance, Hammers have a chance on Wednesday.

For the last couple of months (thank goodness) the part built houses to the left in front of us are being completed. They have really looked such a mess for so long, just deserted shells. Work is going on in ernest, I don’t know who will buy them but it will make our little corner much better than looking at half built houses.

Mal has his son Kerry and girlfriend Martina staying with him at the cottage for the weekend. At least Mal has managed to collect the remainder of his parcels and hopefully will be coming back earlier than planned (and it won’t be with North Cyprus Airlines!)

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Thought for the Day – “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly” -Lanston Hughes

 

Another lovely day with the birds singing outside. I know I shouldn’t say it yet but it really seems like Spring.

Gwen asked me if I would go to lunch with her as we haven’t met up for a long time. She chose The Rocks Hotel in Girne where they do a business lunch for 28tl. Mal and I intended going there to try it out but then I had my bad back prior to Christmas and so hadn’t managed it.

We arrived at The Rocks and as the weather was so nice we sat outside for a drink. When we finished we went into the restaurant. It is just as I would expect a 5 star hotel, impressive! I was surprised at the amount of choice on the ‘Business lunch’ menu which made it really difficult to choose.  I started with caesar salad, not realising there was a choice between plain or with chicken and they brought mine plain. I said I thought it had chicken and the waiter said no problem and very shortly brought out a seperate side plate with three chicken skewers on it!  What a lot of food. I then couldn’t really decide between the swordfish skewers or the veal steak but finally decided on the veal as I haven’t had it for such a long time.  We both had tiramasu to finish.

A really good lunch and nice to see Gwen again. Thank you Gwen!

While Iwas out the builder rang to say that he had repaired the roof leak. I thought he would have rung before he came and I imagined Rosie going absolutely demented seeing them walking around the house and I should think she barked the whole time they were here. I could do with a torrential downpour now to make sure it is OK!

Rosie was fine when I got home.

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Rosie and I walked in the mountains and I spotted the first anenomes and also mandrake, it is feeling like Spring and the sun was out too!

Mal phoned later and now has his new laptop sorted out and was using the webcam, which would have been fine but he kept pulling faces at me!

Later Torin rang from Singapore. He is working there and told me all about it. He said he is loving the food but drew the line at the pig’s intestines. He said the food is very spicy and the locals eat at least a ramekin dish of hot chillies with each meal. He tends to try all the local food at the small cafes. He said he can have a good meal for about £2.50 but alcohol is expensive.  He certainly gets around! Next stop on 24th is Dehli!

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Thought for the Day – “Airplane travel is Nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo” – Cobskie

Rosie and I were up early and down to the beach for the sunrise. Beautiful! Just us again and one lone fisherman. On the way back I bought some fresh bread from Atakara, the smell from their bakery is very tempting. I also bought Cyprus Today and they have explained a little about VAT but in a seperate article mentioned they were already thinking of changing it. see link

In the evening I met up with Christa and Robin and we went to Guido’s in Alsancak for their ‘Meal of the Day’. It was lovely and warm in there, having just moved from the log fire at home, that was really nice. We had an excellent meal, quality and quantity, so much so we couldn’t even manage desert! The meals of the day are 20tl for two courses and 25tl for three courses, very good value.

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Thought for the day – “Time is the coin of life. Only you can determine how it will be spent” – Carl Sandberg

 

 

 

The sun was out again! Rosie and I discovered some toadstools whilst out walking. I have no idea how to identify them! I didn’t touch them.

Mal’s new computer arrived at last. Amazon is very good but their delivery service leaves a lot to be desired. So, now he is loading all the programmes he needs, in between doing his marking.

My UK hairdresser Marcello who cut my hair at Christmas (his salon is in Ramsgate and I have been going there for at least the last 12 years), is on “Come Dine with Me” this week on Channel 4 at 5.00pm I believe. He ‘stars’ tonight but of course it is on all week along with four other Thanetonians. At least it shows Margate in a good light but I am afraid to say Marcello is not at all as he is playing up to the cameras…he is really nice!

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Thought for the Day – “Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themsleves” – Abraham Lincoln